Antarctica's White Wilderness (2012)

Buenos Aires • Ushuaia • Tierra del Fuego • 9-night Expedition Cruise in Antarctica
  • 13 days
  • from only:
  • $6695
  • $515 per day
    Small Ship Adventure Only
  • 14 days
  • from only:
  • $7595
  • $543 per dayIncludes international airfare and government taxes
IN THIS SECTION:
Detailed Itinerary
Is this Adventure Right for You?
It's Included
Unique Accommodations
Our Antarctica small ship
Extend Your Adventure
Bariloche, Argentina: Patagonian Andes & Lakes
Iguassu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
Optional Tours
Trip Leaders
Photos From our Travelers
Your Travel Handbook
Air information
LearnMore
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Customize your trip

Learn how to customize your adventure, or view standard air routing and travel times. The choice is yours with our True Choice program.

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Customize your trip

With our True Choice Program, you can choose to stay longer before or after your trip on your own, or combine two adventures to maximize your value. Here are more ways to create the OAT adventure that’s right for you:

  • Choose our standard air routing, or work with us to select the airline and routing you prefer
  • Make your own international flight arrangements directly with the airline, applying frequent flyer miles if available
  • Stay overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip
  • Request to arrive a few days early to get a fresh start on your adventure
  • Choose to “break away” before or after your trip, spending additional days or weeks on your own
  • Extend your adventure with our optional pre- and post-trip extensions
  • Combine your choice of OAT adventures to maximize your value
  • Upgrade to business or premium economy class

The air options listed above will involve an additional fee of $100 per person for confirmed requests (as well as incremental airfare costs based on your specific choice). This service fee will be waived for Inner Circle/Sir Edmund Hillary Club members.

Or, when you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing, for which approximate travel times are shown below.

GATEWAY

TRAVEL TIME*

Atlanta

14hrs

Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tampa

15hrs

Boston

16hrs

Chicago, Newark

17hrs

Miami

9hrs

New York (JFK)

11hrs

Orlando

13hrs

Philadelphia

18hrs

Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle

20hrs

Portland, OR

21hrs

* Estimated total time, including connection and layover. Actual travel time may vary.

The information above reflects approximate flight times from the gateway cities listed to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Routing is based on availability and subject to change. You will receive your final air itinerary approximately 14 days prior to departure.

REFER and EARN

Earn increasing rewards as a Vacation Ambassador

REFER and EARN as a Vacation Ambassador with
the BEST referral program in the industry

Inspiring new travelers to join the OAT family is a rewarding experience—both for you and your new travelers.

Share your love of travel with others and, for each referral who embarks on an OAT trip, you will earn $100 in CASH or credit. With your 4th referral departing on a 2012 departure, your reward increases to $200 in CASH or credit per person. And once you refer 8 travelers departing in either 2012 or 2013, you'll earn a FREE trip valued up to $4,500 per household—which will bring the total value of your earned rewards up to $5,600.

And you are also passing along savings to your new traveler: We'll instantly deduct $100 off the cost of their reservation when they mention your name and Customer Number while reserving.

To learn more about the benefits of our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, please call us toll-free at 1-800-955-1925 or click here.

ALSO SEE:
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Solo Friendly Travel
Frequently Asked Questions
View All Trip Leaders for this Trip
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Pre-Trip: Bariloche, Argentina: Patagonian Andes & Lakes

5 nights from only $1495

Majestic peaks rise above glittering lakes in Bariloche, a nature-lover’s playground. The rugged landscapes of Patagonia and the influence of German culture combine for an Alpine experience in the foothills of the Andes. From a working ranch to a local brewery, we'll experience the vibrant culture that thrives in Argentina’s “Little Switzerland.” And we'll take in the area's natural beauty from lofty viewpoints.

It's Included

  • Roundtrip airfare from Buenos Aires to Bariloche  
  • Accommodations for 1 night in Buenos Aires, 4 nights in Bariloche
  • All transfers
  • 10 meals—5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
  • 4 small group activities
  • Services of a resident OAT Trip Leader who speaks English and Spanish

Optional Tour

Manso River Rafting ($125 per person)

Day 1
Depart U.S.

Depart the U.S. this evening for an overnight flight to Buenos Aires.
Day 2
Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina

We arrive in Buenos Aires today and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon, we’ll embark on an orientation walk through the neighborhoods surrounding our hotel. The vibrant spirit of Buenos Aires will be perfectly apparent as you get to know your environs here in Argentina’s thriving capital city.

This evening, we’ll get to know our Trip Leader and fellow travelers over a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. From pasta to the finest grilled meats, the palate-tempting choices in this cosmopolitan city vary widely but are united in their fresh flavors, and offer a perfect introduction to the region.
Day 3
Fly to Bariloche/Explore city/Campanario Hill chairlift ride/Craft brewery visit

Today, we trade man-made skyscrapers for a natural skyline as we depart Buenos Aires after breakfast for our flight to Bariloche, during which we can gaze out the windows at the frosted peaks that surround this lakeside city nestled in the foothills of the Andes. Set along the banks of the 40-mile-long Lake Nahuel Huapi, San Carlos de Bariloche—as the city is more formally known—is the gateway to Patagonia’s Lake District, and has a distinctly alpine flavor indicative of its strong Central European influence. This is most apparent in the wood and stone architecture of the city center, which—along with its status as an international skiing destination—helps give Bariloche the nickname “Little Switzerland.”

This afternoon we explore Bariloche, starting with a guided tour of the city before venturing out into the surrounding countryside. At Campanario Hill, we'll enjoy a chairlift ride up this picturesque peak, climbing high above the tree line for a panoramic view of Patagonia's striking scenery. We'll take in the beautiful collage of deep green foliage and snowcapped mountains mirrored in the region’s azure lakes before enjoying another leisurely chairlift ride back to level ground.

Later, we'll witness how Bariloche’s land and culture come together when we see how locally grown ingredients are used to brew beer at a family-owned craft brewery. Considering the strong German influence in Bariloche, it's no surprise that locals are experts at transforming their region’s fresh hops, barley, and pristine water into a variety of beers and ales using artisanal methods passed down from generation to generation. We'll have dinner at the brewery after we observe the brewmasters at work.
Day 4
Visit Patagonian sheep ranch/Horseback ride/Barbecue lunch

This morning, we'll visit an estancia—a working sheep ranch—on the Patagonian steppe. We'll learn about the local way of life, and then mount up for a horseback ride that lets us experience this traditional local mode of transportation. Then we'll enjoy an included lunch, including a traditional lamb barbecue.

We return to our hotel this afternoon, and the balance of the day is at leisure in Bariloche, where you can explore architect Ezequiel Bustillo’s city center, learn more about native cultures at the Museo de Patagonia, or enjoy a dinner of trucha (trout) freshly caught just hours earlier. More adventurous regional specialties include jabali (wild boar) and ciervo (venison).

Day 5
Bariloche/Optional Manso River Rafting

Explore Bariloche at your own pace today. Considering that Bariloche is Argentina’s chocolate capital, perhaps you’ll indulge your sweet tooth at a local chocolateria. You might enjoy a stroll through the 1930's city center, where the wood and stone construction was designed to reflect an Alpine village.

Or, join our full day optional tour to go rafting on the Manso River, where we'll explore sandy beaches, thrilling rapids, and Andean-Patagonian forests. On our way to the river, we'll pass some of the most beautiful lakes in the area, including Gutierrez, Mascardi, and Guillelmo. When we board our raft and drift downstream, we'll be surrounded by high peaks and forests. We can observe the the rich flora of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, see birds including the bandurria, and watch trout swimming in the river's clear waters. During the rafting excursion, we'll pause at a sandy beach for lunch.

Tonight, enjoy an included dinner at our hotel.
Day 6
Bariloche/Visit mountain refuge

This morning, we'll visit a mountain refuge on Otto Hill that reveals the area's natural beauty as we enjoy sweeping vistas of shimmering lakes and jagged peaks. We'll have lunch at the refuge, and then return to Bariloche where you have the rest of the day free for you to make your own discoveries.
Day 7
Fly to Buenos Aires

Following breakfast this morning, we fly to Buenos Aires to meet our fellow travelers and set out to explore Antarctica's White Wilderness.